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Shade Tree Mechanic
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a rumor occasionally circulates that immediately after WWII steel was in such short supply that GM fabricated some fenders of aluminum which is said to have been more available, in order to meet post-war consumer demand. Is there any truth to this?
c.d.p.
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ChatMaster - 25,000
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First of a aluminum was in very short supply during WWII. So short already that the 1942 cars that used aluminum pistons were forced to use cast iron. The only two cars using iron pistons were Cevrolet and Pontiac.
The aluminum replacement fenders (left side only) were after market. Only the lefts were made and it was in the 1950-1952 period. They were not made by GM. At this time frame there were probably 3 million 1941-1948 Chevrolets on the road that were able to used these fenders. This fit well but the painters did not like to paint them as there were no good aluminum primers back then.
Gene Schneider
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I still have my aluminum fender that I posted about in 2014. I think I will post it for sale when I return from Florida in a couple of weeks. As I said in 2014 it would make a good novelty item for someone's garage or "man cave." 1941 Aluminum FendersThanks, Mike
Mike 41 Chevy
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Have any articles about this appeared in mainstream (ie. Hemmings Classic Car) publications? Am particularly interested in how aluminum performed in stamping dies and molds of the day (warping etc)
c.d.p.
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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Didn't Ford create a couple of complete cars of aluminum in 1936 or 1937?
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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They did some in stainless steel. They appear once in a while.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I still have my aluminum fender that I posted about in 2014. I think I will post it for sale when I return from Florida in a couple of weeks. As I said in 2014 it would make a good novelty item for someone's garage or "man cave." 1941 Aluminum FendersThanks, Mike Aluminum fender that lead to this question is mounted on (as stated above) a '47 Chev sedan delivery (probably identical to a '47 stn wagon fender). Were alum. fenders fabricated for other models . . . incl. pickups?
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No they were not made by GM. I worked in the dealership parts department at that time and we had two of the Gyp aluminum fenders in stock that were purchased from and ouside supplier. There is only one fender that Chevrolet sold for 1941-1948 models all all body styles used the same fender EXCEPT for the business coupe and sedan delivery that had no gas filler hole in the right rear fender. In the later years that fender was discontinued due to low demand so they sold a plug to fill the hole.
Gene Schneider
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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No they were not made by GM. I worked in the dealership parts department at that time and we had two of the Gyp aluminum fenders in stock that were purchased from and ouside supplier. There is only one fender that Chevrolet sold for 1941-1948 models all all body styles used the same fender EXCEPT for the business coupe and sedan delivery that had no gas filler hole in the right rear fender. In the later years that fender was discontinued due to low demand so they sold a plug to fill the hole. And of course the pickup gas filler hole is in the cab's right/rear corner
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